- Part Time (15.2hrs per week/0.4FTE), Ongoing
- SCHADS Level 4 role
- Bendigo location
About Thorne Harbour Country
Based in Bendigo, Thorne Harbour Country provides regional services and support to LGBTIQ+ people and PLHIV across the Loddon Mallee. Our work includes counselling and therapeutic services, AOD support, peer and community groups, health promotion, HIV and Hepatitis C education, and a range of community development initiatives. We strive to create safer, more connected, and more inclusive regional communities.
We are seeking a motivated and community-minded Community Development Worker to join our team in Bendigo. This is an exciting opportunity to support the health, wellbeing, and connection of LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV (PLHIV) across the Loddon Mallee region.
About the role
You will design, deliver, and coordinate health promotion initiatives, community engagement activities, and targeted events that strengthen the wellbeing and connectedness of local LGBTIQ+ communities and PLHIV.
You will also provide brief therapeutic support, intake and assessment, referrals, crisis responses, and assistance to community members seeking information or access to services. Working closely with the Program Manager and broader Thorne Harbour Health teams, this role also contributes to partnership building, capacity strengthening and sector collaboration across the region.
Key responsibilities of the role:
- Design, deliver and evaluate health promotion and community development activities.
- Build relationships with community groups, health services, local agencies and LGBTIQ+ community networks.
- Coordinate and support community events, peer programs, volunteer initiatives and targeted health campaigns.
- Provide intake, assessment, brief therapeutic interventions and referral support to LGBTIQ+ people and PLHIV.
- Assist in the delivery of education programs and capacity-building initiatives.
- Maintain accurate data and contribute to reporting requirements.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to improve service access and community wellbeing.
Click here for the position description including the selection criteria
About you
You will have a tertiary qualification in health promotion, social work, community development, welfare, or related field. You will also bring:
- Experience engaging with diverse and marginalised communities, including LGBTIQ+ people and PLHIV.
- Skills in community development, event delivery, partnership building, or health promotion.
- Experience identifying client needs and providing brief support, including risk assessment or crisis responses.
- A collaborative working style, warmth, empathy, and a commitment to inclusive practice.
- A current Victorian Driver Licence.
- Experience in peer support frameworks (desirable)
- Experience designing or delivering training to professionals (desirable)
About us
At Thorne Harbour Health, we combine community, care, and advocacy to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people and people living with or affected by HIV.
We’re a proudly community-led organisation built on over 40 years of activism and care — where your lived experience and identity are valued and celebrated.
For a detailed position description, including selection criteria, visit our website: https://thorneharbour.org/about/work/
Inclusion Matters
We strongly encourage applications from people who are:
- Part of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Living with HIV
- From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- First Nations people
- People with disability
For further enquiries please contact Damien Stevens-Todd – Manager, Thorne Harbour Country on 0447 623 111 or via email – damien-stevens-todd@thorneharbour.org
How to apply
Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and the names and contact details of three professional referees should be sent via job listing in Employment Hero.
Applications close: Sunday 14 December 2025
Important: it is essential that applicants specifically address the selection criteria. Where selection criteria have not been addressed, applications will not be considered.
Thorne Harbour Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children, police records and reference checks for all roles.